Hawaii island man arrested in possession of car used in attempted robberies

Hawaii County police Wednesday arrested a 37-year-old Honomu man in possession of a car that was used in two attempted robberies in Hilo, police said.

About 11:40 a.m., a man armed with what appeared to be a firearm attempted to rob the cashier at a gas station on Kaumana Drive. He left without getting any cash. The cashier was not injured.

About 20 minutes later, the same man attempted to rob an employee at a recycling center off Waianuenue Avenue but again was unsuccessful. The employee was not injured.

The suspect fled in a white Suzuki Samarai that had previously been reported stolen.

About 3:20 p.m., while conducting checks in the Honomu area, officers located the car at a Honomu residence.

The suspect was arrested for investigation of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

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